The Ministry of Heavy Industries invites bids through Global Tender for the selection of beneficiaries to set up giga-scale Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) manufacturing facilities of 10 GWh cumulative capacities, under PL...

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1. At a Glance

• Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) manufacturing is India's flagship battery-storage localisation push, run as a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI). [S6]
• The 2026 tender is a fresh 10 GWh giga-scale bidding round exclusively for Grid-Scale Stationary Storage (GSS), distinct from earlier auto-battery-linked rounds. [S1]
• Selection uses Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS), a two-stage online process via the CPP Portal (Central Public Procurement Portal). [S1]
• Relevant for Prelims (scheme facts, numbers) and Mains GS-III (energy security, manufacturing, clean-tech localisation).

2. Why in the News

• MHI released the Request for Proposal (RFP) on 15 July 2026 for a Global Tender inviting bids to set up 10 GWh cumulative ACC capacity earmarked for Grid-Scale Stationary Storage. [S1]
• Tender documents available online from 15 July 2026; bid due date is 13 October 2026; bids to be opened on 14 October 2026. [S1]

3. Background & Evolution

• May 2021: Union Cabinet approved the technology-agnostic PLI scheme "National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage" with an outlay of ₹18,100 crore to build 50 GWh of domestic ACC capacity. [S6][S2]
• March 2022: First round of ACC PLI bidding concluded — 3 beneficiary firms allocated 30 GWh cumulative capacity. [S2]
• 2024: Ministry of Heavy Industries launched a re-bidding Global Tender for the remaining 10 GWh, with a maximum budgetary outlay of ₹3,620 crore; seven bidders (ACME Cleantech, Amara Raja, Anvi Power, JSW Neo Energy, Reliance Industries, Lucas TVS, Waaree Energies) submitted bids for cumulative 70 GWh. [S3][S2]
• Reliance Industries Limited was awarded the 10 GWh capacity under QCBS; other bidders placed on waitlist. [S3]
• Programme Agreement subsequently signed with Reliance New Energy Battery Limited for the 10 GWh capacity. [S5]
• As of 31 December 2025, out of the total targeted 50 GWh, 40 GWh had been awarded to four beneficiary firms (Reliance New Energy Limited, Ola Electric Mobility Private Limited, Rajesh Exports Limited, and one more), with cumulative investment of ₹3,237 crore and employment generation of 1,118. [S4]
• 15 July 2026: MHI issues fresh Global Tender RFP for another 10 GWh, this time earmarked specifically for Grid-Scale Stationary Storage. [S1]

4. Core Static Facts

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

• Economic: Aims to cut battery-import dependence, build a domestic lithium-ion/advanced-cell value chain, and attract large capex (₹3,620 crore budgetary outlay for the 10 GWh round alone). [S3]
• Scientific/Technological: "Technology agnostic" design allows lithium-ion, sodium-ion or other emerging chemistries; QCBS weighs technical quality alongside cost. [S6][S1]
• Administrative: Two-stage online bidding via CPP Portal signals a push for procurement transparency; use of an Independent Engineer (Engineers India Limited) for scheme monitoring adds a verification layer. [S1][S7]
• Strategic/Energy Security: This round's exclusive earmarking for Grid-Scale Stationary Storage (GSS) links ACC manufacturing directly to renewable-energy grid balancing and storage security, not just EV batteries. [S1]
• Governance: Waitlist mechanism (as seen in the 2024 round) ensures continuity if the primary awardee under-delivers or forfeits capacity. [S3]

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 31 December 2025: MHI data shows 40 GWh of the 50 GWh target awarded; ₹3,237 crore investment and 1,118 jobs generated under PLI-ACC. [S4]
• 15 July 2026: MHI releases RFP for a new Global Tender for 10 GWh ACC capacity dedicated to Grid-Scale Stationary Storage, via QCBS on CPP Portal. [S1]
• Bid due date set for 13 October 2026, with opening on 14 October 2026. [S1]

7. Prelims Hooks

• PLI-ACC scheme approved by Cabinet in May 2021 with outlay ₹18,100 crore. [S6]
• Target capacity under the scheme: 50 GWh. [S6]
• Implementing ministry: Ministry of Heavy Industries, NOT Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. [S1]
• Scheme is technology agnostic (not restricted to lithium-ion). [S6]
• First bidding round concluded March 2022; 3 firms got 30 GWh. [S2]
• 2024 re-bid Global Tender: 10 GWh, budgetary outlay ₹3,620 crore. [S2]
• Reliance Industries Limited won the 10 GWh capacity in the 2024 re-bid round. [S3]
• Programme Agreement for that 10 GWh signed with Reliance New Energy Battery Limited. [S5]
• Engineers India Limited appointed as Independent Engineer for the PLI-ACC Scheme. [S7]
• Selection mechanism: Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS). [S1]
• Bidding conducted online through the CPP Portal (Central Public Procurement Portal). [S1]
• As of 31 December 2025, 40 GWh of the 50 GWh target is awarded. [S4]
• New (2026) Global Tender's 10 GWh is earmarked specifically for Grid-Scale Stationary Storage (GSS). [S1]
• 2026 tender timeline: documents from 15 July 2026, bids due 13 October 2026, opened 14 October 2026. [S1]
• Beneficiary firms across rounds include Reliance New Energy Limited, Ola Electric Mobility Private Limited, and Rajesh Exports Limited. [S4]

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III: Infrastructure, Energy, Indigenisation of technology, Industrial Policy, Employment generation.
• Syllabus headings: "Infrastructure: Energy," "Science and Technology – developments and their applications," "Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors."
• Possible question stems: 1. "Discuss the role of Production Linked Incentive schemes in building India's battery storage manufacturing ecosystem. Examine the significance of Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) capacity for grid-scale renewable energy storage." 2. "How does domestic ACC battery manufacturing reduce India's import dependence and strengthen energy security? Critically analyse implementation challenges under the PLI-ACC scheme." 3. "Examine the linkage between renewable energy grid integration and stationary battery storage. What role can schemes like PLI-ACC play in this transition?"

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• PLI schemes across sectors (electronics, auto components, pharma) — compare design and outlay patterns.
• National Electricity Plan / Grid-Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) — links directly to GSS earmarking in this tender.
• India's critical minerals strategy (lithium, cobalt, nickel) — upstream input security for ACC manufacturing.
• Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme — related EV-battery demand driver.
• National Programme on Green Hydrogen — parallel clean-energy PLI-linked initiative.
• Make in India / Atmanirbhar Bharat — overarching policy umbrella.
• QCBS procurement mechanism — used across various government tenders; useful for governance/administrative-law linkages.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Confusing Ministry of Heavy Industries with Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) as the implementing body — MHI runs PLI-ACC. [S1]
• Mixing up the total scheme target (50 GWh, ₹18,100 crore, 2021) with the specific 10 GWh tender round outlays (₹3,620 crore in 2024; new round in 2026) — these are sub-tranches, not the whole scheme. [S6][S3][S1]
• Assuming all ACC capacity is for EVs — the 2026 round is earmarked for Grid-Scale Stationary Storage, not vehicle batteries. [S1]
• Confusing QCBS (Quality and Cost Based Selection, used here) with pure L1 (lowest cost) tendering used in other government procurements. [S1]
• Mixing up beneficiary names across rounds — Reliance features in both the original 50 GWh allocation and the separate 2024 10 GWh re-bid (via Reliance New Energy Battery Limited), which can cause double-counting errors. [S4][S5]

11. Sources

• [S1] Press Release Page | Press Information Bureau — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2284916 — (tier: 1)
• [S2] Ministry of Heavy Industries receives Seven bids against Global Tender... — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2018576 — (tier: 1)
• [S3] MHI awards 10 GWh capacity to one bidder under PLI ACC scheme — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2051743 — (tier: 1)
• [S4] Year End Review 2024 / PLI SCHEME FOR ADVANCE CHEMISTRY CELLS — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2224542&reg=3&lang=2 — (tier: 1)
• [S5] Programme Agreement Signed with Reliance New Energy Battery Limited for 10 GWh capacity — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2104281&reg=3&lang=2 — (tier: 1)
• [S6] Cabinet approves Production Linked Incentive scheme "National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Storage" — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1717938 — (tier: 1)
• [S7] Ministry of Heavy Industries appoints Engineers India Limited as Independent Engineer for PLI-ACC Scheme — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1951783 — (tier: 1)